Hakeem & Tasia 3: A Brick City Love Story

by K. C. Mills

  Again Keem laughed. “You did some dumb shit for her to tell you something I already know.”

  I looked at him and rolled my eyes. “I bet you didn’t know that he’s trying to make her say you’re the one that put her in the hospital and that Jace really did it.”

  “I knew he did that shit, and I’m not worried about what the fuck she has to say. I didn't do that shit and nobody can prove that I did, but that still don’t excuse you taking your ass up there.”

  “How do you know he attacked her?” I asked choosing to ignore everything else he said.

  “Don't worry about that.” He got close to me and I could feel his breath on my face as it left his mouth. “You need to be smart. Just because I run a club don't mean shit has changed. You know who I am and you know what comes with that. What if somebody was trying to set your ass up to get to me, then what?”

  He was right, but it didn't mean that I wasn't still pissed for him flipping out on me. I stood there without saying anything and he just stared at me, before he exhaled and pulled me into his body, closing his arms around me.

  “Look, I try real hard to keep my shit away from you, but this is different. I don’t want you to have to deal with it, but it can’t be helped. Just trust me when I say I’m handling it. All I need for you to do is trust me enough to tell me when shit like that happens and let me handle it. Okay?”

  “Fine,” I said still annoyed.

  He just chuckled. “You can be mad all you want but it won’t change shit, now give me a kiss.” He leaned back, looking at me.

  I rolled my eyes and turned my head.

  “Is it you or Riley that’s two?” Keem asked with a smirk.

  “You’re so damn childish,” I mumbled.

  He grabbed my chin and kissed me, so I gave in and kissed him back.

  “I’ll be that, but you are too, so I guess we got a house full of fucking toddlers,” he said before he let me go and started walking towards our bedroom.

  I just shook my head and joined Riley in the living room. No matter how mad he made me, I still couldn't get enough of him, so there was no sense in me trying to act like I could.

  -17-

  Hakeem

  “So that’s how we’re doing it?” Jodie sounded pissed which meant that Smith ran his mouth.

  “Come on Jodie, the less you know about it the better,” I said, as I stood in the closet keying the code to my gun safe.

  “The fuck you mean the less I know? How long we been down Keem, eighteen fucking years, right? Whatever you’re into, I’m into. You got a problem then I got an even bigger fucking problem, because nobody fucks with my people, so don’t even come at me with that bullshit, because that’s exactly what it is - bullshit.”

  I just chuckled because he was mad a fuck and I knew he would be. Jodie would ride with and for me no matter what, but this time was different. I was taking a chance fucking with cops and I didn’t want him stuck in the middle. What I was doing was my choice, but only because I didn’t really have one, but Jodie did.

  “Aight, damn nigga. Calm your ass down. You know me, I didn’t want you to make a decision that you couldn’t take back so I made that shit for you.”

  “Fuck you Keem. I’m on my way nigga, and I might rock the shit out of you as soon as I see your ass. Playing me like a fucking common.” Jodie hung up and I laughed again. I was gonna cuss Smith out the second I saw his Poindexter ass. He didn’t have no business telling Jodie my plans.

  I slid my phone in my pocket, lifted my nine out the case, and secured it in my pants of my all-black cargo pants. I reached above my head and put my hands on my all-black baseball cap and then left the closet.

  Tay was about to take one look at me and know for sure my ass wasn’t heading to the club, but I didn’t care. We would have to discuss it another time, even though I knew she was about to be up all night worrying. Riley was asleep, but at least Riley being in the house with Tay would keep her somewhat occupied, especially since she was in our bed, but it still wasn’t about to stop Tay from bugging out until I got home. I was fortunate enough that I keep this side of my life away from her. We didn’t really have any enemies so that meant no beef and no problems. Tay didn’t realize how lucky she was, but then again, she didn’t know shit about street life, so she never processed the possibility of how unlucky she could be either.

  “I thought you were heading to the club?” Her eyes scanned my body and then went straight to my face. She wore a frown on hers, as I moved closer to her and stood a few feet away.

  “I have some other shit to handle. I’ll be unreachable for a minute, but if you need me just leave a message and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can. Keep the door locked and don’t go anywhere.”

  “It’s after nine, where would I go Keem?” she snapped.

  I chuckled because she looked so cute, even though I knew she was mad. She was actually more worried, but the look on her face was still cute as fuck.

  “Come here.” I held my hand out and she didn’t move, so I took a step towards her.

  “Are you going to make me worry about you being mad at me all night, which means that I won’t be able to focus, or you gonna kiss me so that I can leave here with my head right?”

  “Don’t do that,” she said now looking even more pissed.

  “Do what Tay?” I asked with a smirk.

  “Don’t take away my right to be worried by making me feel like I’m putting you in danger by doing it.”

  “Why do you think you're putting me in danger? I’m just going to take care of a few things. There isn’t shit for you to worry about.” It was a lie but she didn’t need to know that.

  “Yeah, okay, just go,” she said and tried to walk away but I was close enough now to get my hands on her, so I grabbed her by the waist and pulled her close to me and just held her for a minute. She smelled like fruit and for some reason, it reminded me of the day we drove to Atlantic City. It was the first time after she was attacked that I actually saw hope that she was going to be okay. I hadn’t thought about that in a long time.

  “I’m good Tay. You already know that so stop stressing.” I let her go and placed a hand on each side of her face, before I leaned down to kiss her. After I released our kiss and a few more pecks followed, I smiled at her, forcing a smile on her face.

  “I hate you sometimes, you know that?” she mumbled.

  “That’s cool, as long as you know I don’t really care. Hate me all you want as long as you know that you’re in this shit for life,” I said with a grin.

  “Yeah whatever,” she said and then walked away, moving towards our bedroom so I followed.

  I stood in the doorway and watched Tay as she sat on her side. Riley was in the middle of the bed wrapped up in the covers, looking like a little angel. This right here was life. Watching the two of them, I knew that this was all I needed. I was going to marry Tay and it wasn’t like I hadn’t ever thought about it, because honestly I had, but right here, right now, watching her just had me convinced that I wanted her in my bed and by my side for the rest of my life. That was it, just Tay. There would never be anyone else.

  “You can join us instead of just standing there,” Tay said pulling me out of my head.

  I smiled. “I will be soon. I’ll be back before you know it.”

  Tay frowned as she pulled her hair loose, ran her fingers through it, and then secured it again on the top of her head. That shit was sexy as fuck and I needed to leave or Howard would be blessed to live one more day.

  “I’m heading out. I love you,” was all I said.

  “I love you too,” she said with a pout.

  And with that, I left further convinced that I needed to get this handled. Not just for me, but for Riley and Tay. Howard was threatening their happiness by fucking with me, and that was a problem.

  *****

  Rasta was the first call I made when I was in my truck. He had our location set up for us. I didn’t know shit about New York and I coul
dn’t take Howard’s ass all the way to Jersey, so Rasta had us set up with a secure spot. Some abandoned building that he used to function out of.

  “Yo Keem, you moving?”

  “Yeah, we good on your end?”

  “We’re good.”

  “Aight then, I’ll see you there.”

  I hung up with Rasta and called Bradford, who answered on the first damn ring.

  “We still on schedule?”

  “Yeah, just do your part. This shit is on you.” I wanted him to be clear that he was responsible for grabbing Howard and getting him there. I wasn’t about to be caught out there grabbing a cop, so if Bradford couldn't get Howard there then this shit was a no go.

  “I know. I’m on it.”

  “An hour,” was all I said and then hung up. I didn’t really give a fuck how he handled it, as long as he got Howard there. I planned on beating the shit out of him just because I could, and then it was up to Bradford to put a hot one in him. No matter what the case, Howard was still a cop and I wasn’t about to be the one to fill his ass with lead. I was making sure Bradford did that shit and then as agreed, I would make sure there was no body to be found.

  Smith was already there when I got there. His van was parked around back when I walked up to the building. I had parked several blocks away so that my truck wouldn’t be seen in the area, so when I tapped on the window, Smith’s scary ass damn near had a heart attack.

  “Damn Keem, don’t do that,” he said after he opened his door and got up.

  “How your scary ass work around dead bodies and if someone blinks around you, you’re jumping out your skin?”

  Smith pushed his glasses further up his nose and then let his hand run over his bald head. He was a tall thin guy who just had a natural goofy look about him. Smith owned a funeral home that his father had passed down to him and had been around dead people since he was a kid. He had worked for Simuel and once we took over, the only thing that changed was the hands that exchanged money with him.

  “Dead people don’t tap on windows when you’re not paying attention,” Smith said with a smug grin.

  I just chuckled at his scary ass. “Why the hell you tell Jodie where you were going?”

  “It just kind of slipped out,” Smith said with a smirk, but I knew him. He knew damn well he meant to tell Jodie. That was his way of trying to make sure I was good. Smith was on some slick shit, but I had to respect his hustle.

  “Yeah, aight nigga.”

  A few minutes later, Rasta came walking up with Jodie right behind him. We all entered the building and got comfortable. It was dark and creepy as fuck, and the place smelled like dead animals, which was due to the rodents all over the place. New York was bad for that shit. The city was dirty as fuck in certain areas, but all you ever saw on TV and in movies was flashing lights and tall buildings. True natives knew the real deal and the more I was here, the more I was learning.

  “So we good with this Bradford muthafucka?” Jodie asked as he fired up a blunt that Rasta had given him, before passing the lighter to Rasta who lit the one he was holding.

  “I guess we’ll see. Hell, if he don’t show up with Howard then that shit isn’t happening.”

  “Nah, I mean on him keeping his mouth shut,” Jodie said.

  “Yeah, we’re good. I’ve got so much shit on him he couldn’t cross me if he wanted to and besides, murder is a lot worse than accessory. He flips on me he’s going away for a lot longer.”

  “Muthafuckin’ dirty ass cops and they call us criminals.” Rasta laughed sarcastically before he released a cloud of smoke.

  “Hell yeah, their asses are the real crooks,” Jodie said.

  “Protect and serve my ass. Take your shit and set you up is what the fuck the really do,” I added.

  “It’s a shame that people can’t just do the right thing,” Smith said out of nowhere.

  “The fuck nigga.” Jodie burst out laughing partly because his high was settling in. He mocked Smith, “People need to do the right thing.”

  “You know what I mean.”

  “No hell, shit, your ass don’t do the right thing. You dirty as fuck too, Smith, but we appreciate that shit yo, real talk.” Jodie held his hand up to dap Smith but he just shook his head and stepped back.

  “Leave his ass alone. Damn, you always fucking with people,” I said.

  “I’m just messing with you Smith. You my man ah-hun-net grand.”

  This time when Jodie tried to dap Smith he let him, and my phone went off so I pulled it out of my pocket.

  “I’m outside parked next to a black van,” Bradford said sounding anxious.

  “Aight, bet.”

  “Showtime muthafuckas,” I said with a grin.

  We met Bradford at the door and he had Howard handcuffed with a gun to his head, looking like he was pissed at the world.

  “The fuck you look so upset for? You had to know this shit was coming,” I said, unable to control my smile when I looked Howard in the eyes.

  “You don’t really think you can get away with killing a cop do you?” Howard asked arrogantly as he looked around.

  “Ain't no thinking in the shit. I know.” Again, I looked him right in the eyes so that he would be clear about what was about to happen.

  “You trust him?” Howard asked now focused on Bradford, who just laughed.

  “More than I trust you,” he said.

  “Un-cuff him,” I said unable to control the urge that I had to get my hands on him.

  Bradford did as instructed, while I removed my gun and handed it to Jodie.

  “He come at you wrong and I’m going to shoot his ass, Keem,” Jodie said, as he pointed my piece at Howard, aiming it at his head for a second and then lowering it.

  I knew his crazy ass was serious, so I turned to him, “Nah, we’re good on that. His blood won’t be on our hands, but I’m about to fuck this nigga up first,” I said. Just as soon as I finished, Howard snuck my ass and got me right in the jaw. He hit me hard as fuck but I recovered and laughed, which put fear in his eyes. I guess he thought he was doing something, but I came up in the streets and I had taken harder blows than that, so I was unfazed.

  “You good now that you got that shit out of your system? I know you been waiting on that since the day I rocked your ass in front of Jay. She knew right then and there that you were a bitch, and I knew right then and there that your ass wouldn’t be breathing for much longer,” I said as I flexed my jaw.

  Everyone in the room watched but didn’t say a word. Jodie wore a grin because he knew me. Rasta was leaning against the wall high as fuck. Bradford stood silently next to Smith looking antsy as fuck, while Howard saw the end of his life in my eyes.

  I could tell that reality finally hit and he realized that he was indeed never making it out of this building alive. Seeing that actually had me hyped as hell.

  “This will never work. You have to know that people will connect you to me. Illegal or not, I have an open case against you and it will surely lead to questions.

  “But you don’t,” Bradford said causing Howard to look at him.

  “I don’t what?”

  “You don’t have an open case. I took care of that. The second your nosy ass started digging into my shit, I started digging into yours. I made sure I removed all connections with either of us. Did you really think that you could convince Sky to blame him? You obviously didn’t have all the pieces. See, Sky is secretly in love with him.” Bradford pointed at me and he had my ass confused.

  “Jace went to see her like he had been doing the entire time, but this time she was awake and Sky begged him to turn himself in so that she wouldn’t have to blame Williams. Jace of course, came straight to me to fix that shit for him. Bottom line is you’re out of luck and evidence.”

  Now Howard was really sweating. I almost felt sorry for his ass… almost, but shit, fuck that. You play a grown man’s game you better be prepared to man up when you lose.

  “We doing this shit or not?”
Jodie asked with his rude ass. He didn’t have a lot of patience and apparently, he had reached his limit.

  “Calm your ass down. You the one who showed up when I clearly told your ass not to. You’re not doing shit, so why the fuck are you here again anyway?” I looked at him and laughed because he looked so damn irritated.

  “I don’t see shit funny. Shoot that nigga so I can take my ass home, and I’m here because I needed to make sure this shit didn’t go left. You trusting cops and shit like you done lost your damn mind,” Jodie said looking at Bradford.

  I was still focused on Jodie when I heard a gun go off, and then Howard hit the floor.

  “The fuck nigga, damn. You could have given my ass some warning,” I said pointing at Bradford.

  “Hell, he said shoot him.” Bradford had a satisfied look on his face. “What’s next?” he asked, a little too hyped for me.

  “I’m next,” Smith said walking over to Howard. He stepped around the pool of blood that was forming around him and checked his pulse.

  “You good here?” I asked looking at Smith.

  He nodded but didn’t say anything, because he was focused on the body. This was his shit and he was zoned out.

  I looked down at Howard until I heard Jodie’s voice. “You mad ‘cause you didn’t get to fuck that nigga up, aren’t you?” Jodie wore a smirk as he handed me my gun.

  “Hell yeah, but fuck it.” I took my piece and put it back in my jeans under my shirt.

  “So we just leave and that’s it?” Bradford asked.

  We were so focused on everything else going on that no one noticed Rasta walk up to us, until he swung on Bradford so hard that when his fist connected to Bradford’s face, his body spun around and then hit the floor.

  “The fuck,” Bradford yelled when he was on his feet again.

  “That was a long time coming,” Rasta said. He was high as fuck so his dumb ass was grinning and shit like a little kid.

  “Aight, anybody else got any old beefs to handle or can we settle this shit up and get the fuck out of here?” Jodie said.

  While we were doing our thing, Smith had left and returned with a duffle bag. He was digging through it to get Howard prepared to travel. I had seen his process a few times, so I was familiar with it.